xo // grethan

/2/

"There!" Xitlali exclaimed, finally removing her hands from his hair. Grayson let out a sigh of relief. She'd been touching him up like he was a Barbie doll for the past hour, and he could barely stand it any longer. He turned around, looking in the mirror and.. Wow. She'd really made him look amazing.

Every strand of hair seemed to be perfectly placed, and she'd even curled his eyelashes, exclaiming that they were too perfect to go to waste. Light makeup dusted his face, making him look as if he was glowing beneath the fluorescent bathroom lights. He had somewhat haphazardly thrown on a black dress shirt, deciding not to go all out, plus his black and white striped pants that Ethan had begged him not to wear. Of course, he didn't listen, just to spite him.

"¡Que guapo! You look so handsome, Gray," Xitlali's mother grinned from the doorway. He felt his face go hot at the compliment - he wasn't used to all of the attention the Casteñeda family gave him, despite being 'inducted' for nearly three years. It was already embarrassing enough when his own mom did it. Speaking of his mom, he made sure to take a picture and send it to her.

"Thanks, Diana," he smiled. The doorbell interrupted the moment, meaning Ethan was here. He agreed to meet them all at Xitlali's house after she finished up with Grayson. Before they exited the bathroom, Grayson grinned at Xitlali. "Thanks, by the way. I really like everything." She only smiled knowingly, following him to the front door.

Ethan stood in the doorway, texting on his phone. When he looked up, his eyes widened and his breathing nearly stopped. It was almost like a movie scene - except this was real life. "Oh - oh, wow, holy shit Gray you look great," he stuttered, scratching the back of his neck. He quickly recovered from his little moment of admiration, leaving Grayson a blushing mess. What the hell?

"Of course, since I'm the awesome man in this relationship," he paused to pull out a pretty burgundy and white corsage, matching the boutonnière on his own shirt. "I got you this." Grayson held out his arm, somewhat panicking inside. Ethan was really acting like his boyfriend. They acted as if they were together sometimes as a joke, so it was probably nothing, but this crush was killing him with stupid thoughts.

Ethan slipped the corsage on, grinning as he spotted Xitlali. "Good job. You look great too, by the way."  

"Thanks. Now let's go, I don't wanna be late!" She exclaimed, rushing the both of them to the twins' dad's truck, which Ethan had borrowed for the night. 

/////

Homecoming was somewhat boring at first. The music in the cafeteria was so loud that it almost shook the ground, or maybe that was from everyone's feet stomping to the beat. Grayson couldn't tell. They'd found some of their other friends, creating a little huddle to the side of the room. 

Ethan seemed to be having fun, or so it seemed, but Grayson had always been somewhat shy. He hated these social situations, and the anxiety that tagged along with them. He stuck to Ethan's side, wishing he could sink into the floor. Damn Xitlali and her love of parties. 

He'd been lazily twirling the straw around his half full can of coke, ignoring his surroundings, when he felt himself being dragged onto the dance floor. "Come on Gray, let's dance!" Ethan said, trying to pull him, but he didn't budge. 

"You know I don't dance Ethan..." he mumbled. The only time he'd ever let loose was at home with Ethan. He wouldn't dare let anyone else see that 

"Aw, Gray, c'mon," Ethan said softly. His eyes were so deep, so caring and full of warmth and encouragement, Grayson couldn't look away. Fuck Ethan and the way he cared so much for his well-being. Sighing, he gave in, allowing Ethan to drag him to the middle of the cafeteria, where a large crowd had collected. 

It was hot and sweaty in the midst of the large group of teenagers. Grayson instantly felt uncomfortable in the shirt he was wearing, fanning himself with his hand. He'd be damned if he didn't melt on this very floor from overheating into a puddle of shame. Yet, Ethan made him feel safe despite his dislike of the situation.

He couldn't help himself as he began to back into Ethan, letting loose like the rest of the sweaty teens around him. Ethan laughed from behind him, sweaty hands grabbing his waist. The heat radiating from him was enough to put summer weather to shame. Xitlali laughed from somewhere beside them, saying something about 'twincest' as the rest of their friends laughed along at their little grinding session.

It was almost funny how everyone passed it off as a joke, because to Grayson, it was anything but a joke. He flashed a smile at his friends anyways, grinding harder.

The song ended all too fast, and Ethan separated from Grayson. His legs felt like jelly, and his cheeks were red, from both the heat and embarrassment. He retreated to Xitlali's side, instantly glaring when she looking at him knowingly. "You're being bold tonight," she giggled. "I think your hair looks even better than how I'd done it right now."

"You spiked my drink. You definitely spiked my drink." groaned Grayson, punching her lightly in the arm. She rubbed the spot and stared at him pointedly.

"I think your own crush spiked your drink." 

"Fuck you."

"You have Ethan for that," she snickered. They'd somehow found their way back to the little area their group had previously been huddled in. Some girls giggled furiously next to them at their phone, watching some movie on Netflix.

"I think this is the boldest thing I've ever done - and the only thing I'll ever do." Grayson slapped his forehead. His ears caught the conversation of the girls beside them. They were talking about some movie where a girl wrote love letters about the boys she loved before locking them in a box. The gears in his brain were turning now.

It didn't have to be the last time he acted outright on his crush.

"Actually... I think it may be the first thing I've done."

"What do you mean?" questioned Xitlali, narrowing her eyes as she studied her perfectly done nails. 

"You'll see."